Bass had held the seat for six terms before being ousted in 2006. He made a comeback in 2010 by narrowly defeating Kuster to win an open seat, but Kuster was the winner Tuesday.

Kuster, a lawyer, lobbyist and consultant, tried to portray herself as a champion of the middle class battling a tea party extremist. Bass emphasized his independence and willingness to reach across the aisle. He also cast Kuster as a big-government, tax-loving liberal.

Though their families are old friends, things weren't always friendly this time around. Kuster at one point grabbed a video camera from a Bass staffer. Bass ran an ad depicting her dancing from tax to tax.